Robert Dale Folkerts

Robert Dale Folkerts, former Wasilla resident, passed away June 4, 2017 at age 86 in Pratt, Kansas.

Bob was born in Hardin County, Iowa on July 22, 1930. He graduated from Steamboat Rock, Iowa High School in 1947 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He married Merna Bullis on March 21, 1951 at the famous Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Bob and Merna lived in Iowa until their move to Alaska in 1981 where they lived for the next 32 years, including over seven years living and working in bush Alaska. He had a life-long love of airplanes and, in later years, clocks. Other interests through the years were coin collecting, motorcycle hill-climbing, fishing, and the OX5 Club.

Bob is survived by wife, Merna, of Haviland KS; sons Michael (Noreen), Jonathan (Debra), Timothy (Vicki), and Christopher (Alana); and daughters Lora (John) Newby and Debra Rayne. In addition, there are 13 grandchildren: Eric Newby, Vance Newby, Kelly Stanfield, Stacy Frazier, Marcy Bunce, Emily Bauer, Jenica Mahinay, Ryan Hahn, Danae Bee, Mackenzie Folkerts, Todd Folkerts, Daniel Folkerts, Brianna Folkerts and Olivia Folkerts plus 23 great-grandchildren.

Bob will be missed by many other family members and friends from Iowa to Alaska.